Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?

Olive, Orange-breasted, Grey-headed, and Gorgeous Bush-shrike. Sorry, I do not really know.

Little Bee-eater

What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?

Cumberland Nature Reserve- about 6 years.

Cape Grassbird

How best to travel to your lodge?

Along N3 to Pietermaritzburg, taking Ortmann Road or Church St off initially taking the Wartburg Road- 25 mins off N3.

What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders? (e.g., guided tours, photography blinds, bird feeders, etc.)

All self-catering accommodation. Self guided birding. No birding extras provided.

What makes your lodge special?

Beautiful views, peaceful, safe to roam.

What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?

• Red-throated Wryneck
• Golden, Cardinal, and Bearded Woodpeckers frequent the Acacias
• Fork-tailed Drongo
• Lesser and Greater Honeyguide
• Black Cuckooshrike
• African Hoopoe
• Green Woodhoopoe
• Golden-breasted Bunting
• Crested Barbet
• Groundscraper Thrush
• Southern Black Flycatcher
• Brown-hooded Kingfisher
• Cape and Chinspot Batis
• Mocking Cliff Chat
• Cape Rock-Thrush
• Black Saw-wing
• Lesser-striped Swallow
• Little Swift
• Rufous-naped Lark
• Striped Pipit
• African Stonechat
• Cape and Yellow-throated Longclaw

Cape Rock-Thrush

What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?

I think any time of year. Birders will know.

Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.

Yes, Cumberland is a Natural Heritage site and is part of a 3500ha Conservancy and managed under the Central Umgeni Protected Area [CUPA].

Purple-banded Sunbird

What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?

n.a.

Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.

Walking, mountain biking, fishing in Umgeni, a swimming pool.

Palm-nut Vulture

If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?

Email: [email protected] or www.cumberlandreserve.co.za Office number: 083 376 5600 [office hrs 8 – 3.30pm Mon-Sat.]

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers of 10,000 Birds?